UK management of low-level radioactive wastes

The current policy of the UK government on the management of radioactive wastes remains as set out in the 1982 White Paper and confirmed in a document submitted to the Sizewell public inquiry. Responsibilities for the national strategy lies with the Environment Departments, but the organizations which produce radioactive wastes are responsible for ensuring the safe and effective management of such wastes, and for meeting the costs of necessary action, in accordance with the polluter pays principle. Authorization to discharge or dispose of radioactive waste is given by the Authorizing Departments and a license for operations at a disposal facility by the Health and Safety Executive. Technical considerations favor early disposal for low-level wastes, for delay provides no advantage and lengthy R and D is not required into methods of disposal. Very low-level wastes can be safely disposed with ordinary household refuse, or in liquid or gaseous form. The low-level wastes are also normally disposed of because adequate facilities have been available in controlled landfill sites or to the sea. Wastes that would have gone for sea disposal are at present being stored at nuclear sites while reviews of the scientific case for sea disposal are being completed. New facilities will be developed and operated by the Nuclear Industry Radioactive Waste Executive on behalf of the main waste producers. Systematic monitoring of radioactivity in the environment is carried out, particularly with reference to possible pathways to man